[Closed] ATTN: Dick Browne...Your computer has a virus and it has

I think I received it too, but I did not open the mail and deleted it.

Same here - thank you, Lloyd!

Thanks Lloyd, I received it too.

Viruses are a pain. But I don't see any real problem with posting a "live link"

Certainly, if an e-mail from an unfamiliar source pops up in your inbox and contains a link (or an attchment) it is safest not to open it because it could either contain a virus or could take you to a fake site that wants to hijack your personal details, or the attachment might contain nasties.

However, if I come across an interesting website and I have explored it and it hasn't caused me any problem or hijacked my computer, then if you click my posted link to the same site, chances are it isn't going to hurt you either. I've simply saved you the trouble of keying in what might be a long and complicated URL.

On the other hand, if you manually key in a URL that someone has posted on the Forum without their realising that the site has some hidden malicious content, you could fall victim just as surely as by clicking a helpful live link. After all, you will end up on the same site either way!

So I don't see any reason or logic in advising against posting a live link to a site that is considered trustworthy. For the convenience of Forum readers I will continue to do so unless instructed otherwise.

The only 100% safe course of action is - never open an e-mail, never follow a link (live or otherwise) and and never access a website.

Thanks. I deleted it also as it just looked wrong. I wish these losers that create this stuff would get a real job.

Maybe they DO have a real job, Mark.

Foreign intelligence services and big-time financial scammers may be paying them good money for dreaming up ever more subtle and devious ways of screwing gullible internet users!

Of course there are also computer-savvy but stupid 15 year olds out there doing this stuff, and they just want a good kicking. (Not that I am advocating personal violence, you understand).

If we avoid showing any links or URLs are there copyright issues in posting pictures?

You are correct - I'm sure this kind of stuff pays better than a legit job does and you set your own hours. Sad.

Really? Copyright issues already exist here. As I stated, ...

...If you cannot copy the pic/article over (for whatever reason) it is fine to provide a URL, just don't make it active. That includes copyright issues.

Remember, just because you are looking at something on-line and want to share it with others does not mean that it is not dangerous to your computer and those you share it with.

I have not, do not and will not click on any link posted in a public forum.

Minefield

My thoughts for what they are worth. I think in most cases fair use covers the use of the odd picture in a post on F43 or a website like MAR as long as you use them within its terms. I acknowledge the copyright of MAR Online contributors and try to attribute web pictures if I can. But web pictures are a minefield after all lots of them have been ripped off from other sites, copied from manufacturers material or books or magazines without correct attribution anyway.
I doubt anyone could ever say the way pics are used on F43 was outside fair use and if anyone complained I would just delete it

BTW, folks, if you hover over Dick's name on these bogus emails and some other name pops up...

It doesn't mean Dick has been hacked and people are sending email through his account. Somehow, someone has gotten his friends list and is using his name to try to get you to click on the link. This is fairly typical of facebook scams where it's easy to see your friends list. They match your friends to their email addresses and the next thing you know, you have a bogus email from a fake Dick Browne.

John, all due respect, a hack is a hack. It does mean that someone got into his computer, took his contact list and is using it.
Does not matter if it was from F/B, from your Outlook contact list or anywhere else. All bad actors that can cause real damage.
Lets not attempt to minimize the issue. It is serious and should be seen as such.